Extensive Cross-reactivity Between Salsola kali and Salsola imbricata.

BACKGROUND: There are no studies on cross-reactivity between Salsola kali and Salsola imbricata pollens. The main goals of the present study were to compare the degree of the cross-reactivity between S kali and S imbricata and to compare the various allergenic components shared by S kali and S imbricata. METHODS: erum samples were obtained from rhinitis patients with or without asthma living in Kuwait and presenting with a positive skin test result to S kali. SDS-PAGE/IgE Western blot and ELISA inhibition assay were performed. RESULTS: The study population comprised 37 patients. The most frequent IgE proteins against S imbricata weighed around 12, 15, 18, 37, and 50+55 kDa. 2D electrophoresis revealed a correlation between S kali and S imbricata at 40, 60, and 75 kDa, with similar isoelectric points. ELISA inhibition revealed an Ag50 value of 1.7 µg/mL for S kali and 500.5 µg/mL for S imbricata when the solid phase was S kali and an Ag50 value of 1.4 µg/mL for S kali and 3.0 µg/mL for S imbricata when the solid phase was S imbricata. CONCLUSIONS: ELISA inhibition revealed strong cross-reactivity between S kali and S imbricata. This finding might be clinically relevant for the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy. We report, for the first time, the allergenic profile of S imbricata and potentially allergenic proteins for S kali and S imbricata.

Extensive cross-reactivity between Salsola kali and Salsola imbricata

Background: There are no studies on cross-reactivity between Salsola kali and Salsola imbricata pollens. The main goals of the present study were to compare the degree of the cross-reactivity between S kali and S imbricata and to compare the various allergenic components shared by S kali and S imbricata. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from rhinitis patients with or without asthma living in Kuwait and presenting with a positive skin test result to S kali. SDS-PAGE/IgE Western blot and ELISA inhibition assay were performed. Results: The study population comprised 37 patients. The most frequent IgE proteins against S imbricata weighed around 12, 15, 18, 37, and 50+55 kDa. 2D electrophoresis revealed a correlation between S kali and S imbricata at 40, 60, and 75 kDa, with similar isoelectric points. ELISA inhibition revealed an Ag50 value of 1.7 μg/mL for S kali and 500.5 μg/mL for S imbricata when the solid phase was S kali and an Ag50 value of 1.4 μg/mL for S kali and 3.0 μg/mL for S imbricata when the solid phase was S imbricata. Conclusions: ELISA inhibition revealed strong cross-reactivity between S kali and S imbricata. This finding might be clinically relevant for the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy. We report, for the first time, the allergenic profile of S imbricata and potentially allergenic proteins for S kali and S imbricata (AU)

Introducción: No existen estudios sobre la reactividad cruzada entre pólenes de Salsola kali y Salsola imbricata. El objetivo principal de este estudio es comparar el grado de reactividad cruzada entre Salsola kali y Salsola imbricata, y el objetivo secundario es comparar los diversos componentes alergénicos entre Salsola kali y Salsola imbricata. Métodos: Se obtuvo suero de pacientes con rinitis con o sin asma, que vivieran en Kuwait y tuvieran un test positivo a Salsola kali. Se realizaron SDS PAGE/IgE Western blot, ELISA inhibición, a los sueros de pacientes kuwaitíes. Resultados: Se incluyeron 37 pacientes kuwaitíes. Las proteínas que reaccionaron con más frecuencia contra Salsola imbricata se encontraron alrededor de 12, 15, 18, 37 y 50+55 kDa. La electroforesis 2D mostró una correlación entre Salsola kali y Salsola imbricata a 40, 60, 75 KDa con puntos isoeléctricos similares. El estudio de ELISA inhibición mostró un Ag50 de 1,7 μg/mL para Salsola kali y 500,5 μg/mL para Salsola imbricata cuando la fase sólida era Salsola kali, y un Ag50 de 1,4 μg/mL para Salsola kali y 3,0 μg/mL para Salsola imbricata cuando la fase sólida era Salsola imbricata. Conclusión: Salsola kali y Salsola imbricata presentan una fuerte reactividad cruzada como se observa en el ELISA inhibición y esto podría ser clínicamente relevante para la eficacia de la inmunoterapia específica contra alérgenos. Hemos descrito por primera vez el perfil alergénico para Salsola imbricata y los posibles alérgenos comunes entre Salsola kali y Salsola imbricata (AU)

Tuberculosis is the commonest cause of pneumonia requiring hospitalization during Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).

The diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia in mass gathering situations is a medical challenge, requiring prompt decision making and knowledge of the aetiology. We studied cases of pneumonia admitted to two hospitals during the 1994 pilgrimage (Hajj) season to Makkah. Sixty-four patients were enrolled in the study, of which 47 (75%) were men with a mean age of 63 years (range 21-91). Nearly all were from developing countries. Diagnosis was established in 46 patients (72%) with Mycobacterium tuberculosis being the commonest causative organism (20%), followed by gram-negative bacilli (18.8%). Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for only 10%, with Legionella pneumophilia, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and viruses accounting each for 6%. The main finding of this study is that M. tuberculosis is a common cause of pneumonia under these unusual "extreme circumstances". Its presentation was acute and indistinguishable from pyogenic pneumonia. Thirty-one per cent of tuberculous cases had upper lobe involvement, 54% lower lobe, and 15% multi-lobar. This was similar to the radiographic features in non-tuberculous pneumonia cases. All but one patient with tuberculosis recovered following the administration of first-line anti-tuberculous drugs. The total mortality was 17%. The preponderance of M. tuberculosis and Gram-negative bacteria over S. pneumoniae may reflect the prior use of amoxycillin and the effect of exhaustion, malnutrition, and old age.

Asthma mortality in Mauritius: 1982-1991.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a common problem in the island of Mauritius and its prevalence seems to be increasing. OBJECTIVE: In order to appreciate the magnitude of the problem, patterns of asthma mortality were studied during a period of 10 years. METHOD: All death certificates issued in the island from 1982 to 1991 were reviewed and all cases of asthma deaths were selected. RESULTS: The global asthma mortality rate was found to be 20/100,000 in 1982, and it decreased to 12/100,000 in 1991. Similarly the asthma death rate for the 0 to 4 year age group decreased from 20/100,000 in 1982 to 5/100,000 in 1991. For the 5 to 34 year age group, it decreased from 2.6/100,000 in 1982 to 1.02/100,000 in 1991. There was no statistically significant difference between the various ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that in a developing country such as Mauritius asthma death rates may be high but may show decreasing trends. Nevertheless, it is generally perceived that the prevalence of the disease is increasing.

Major inhalant allergens in Mauritius.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma appears to be an important but neglected problem in tropical countries. There is little information about the role of atopy in tropical climates and how atopy is related to asthma there. OBJECTIVE: The present work was aimed at determining the pattern of total serum IgE-titers among a group of patients suffering from asthma in Mauritius. METHOD: Twenty-five asthmatic patients and ten controls who met the criteria for the study were registered. A comprehensive clinical evaluation was followed by allergy skin testing (prick test) to common aeroallergens. Serum total IgE levels were measured in all 35 participants. RESULTS: Of 22 patients studied, 22 had significant levels of IgE when tested to airborne allergens. Positive skin tests against Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide farinae correlated well with the presence of serum total IgE. Sixteen patients also had had moderate to severe exacerbations throughout the year. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that house dust mite is an important allergen producing symptoms throughout the year in our patients.

Tosyl arginine methyl ester induces bronchoconstriction in rabbit bronchial tissues in vitro: a possible new mediator in asthma.

Tosyl arginine methyl ester induced bronchoconstriction in rabbit bronchial rings mounted in vitro with a calculated EC50 of 5.6 x 10(-5) M as compared with acetylcholine which induced sustainable constriction with an EC50 of 2.5 x 10(-6) M. Tosyl arginine methyl ester, however, had definite bronchoconstricting properties though less potent than acetylcholine. We concluded that our data support the hypothesis that tosyl arginine methyl ester could be a possible biochemical mediator of airway contraction.